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Issue #52, Part 1 - April 18, 2005

Hunter Towers awash with work permits, airline tickets and musicians full of questions - flight details, hotels - set lists- our voluminous staff (Trudi) up against it so I'll try and keep this as brief as I can, as she's got to type it after I've written it and we're running out of time. Here goes ...

Kjell Skogan asks, 'Are we coming to Norway?' Yup.

Kathy went to Finnigans. So did I. Caught a cold.

Mark Davis' eldest son's name is Hunter. Marks got a lyric. Try me later, Mark, after the tour.

Mark /Bradford: Says Julian Cope quotes me now and again. Good oh.

Kevin from Belfast: Big on 'Twisted Steel'. Loves Andy York.

Ian J raving about the band in LA.

Shawn said we were 'beyond belief' in LA. How do we do it? Practice!

Rupe Taylor: Is Mick Ralphs doing the UK? Not this year, but I'm sure we'll get up to something in the future.

George Braithwaite: Broke his ankle on the way to Liverpool gig last year but still made it. Really enjoyed the Mott stuff - 'play more.' How d'ya like the other one broken!

Kat7302: 'Write a song about me!' Well, you'll have to fill in some forms.

Fabio Battaglia and his friend flew to California to see I.H. 25 years ago. Now their son is doing the same thing! Lovely!

Steve Smith sends a review of the Key Club in LA, which is fabulous. Thanks, Steve.

Ray Giguere: Have we ever played Winnipeg? Nope.

Hope Campbell: Don't know; can't remember. Surely not!

Peggy Schultz came to the Key Club and was suitably impressed.

Russ Gollin: Thanking Dave Donner (Drilling and Blasting! Whatta bloke) and me for the Vegas show.

Gert Pedersen: Ask for Mick Brown.

Steve + Brigitte: Vegas. 'You are the wasps ankles'.

Stephanie Pugh says she'll be up front with bells on.

Martin Ward popped over to Vegas from Sheffield. Said it was worth it.

Mark/UK: 'What are the chances of a 'we are not worthy' moment in Bristol?' Hey - I don't hide - if we meet - we meet. Every show is different and it depends on the night and circumstances.

Joe S: The guitarists at the Galaxy were M.C. Bosch and James Mastro (James is the Greek with the pork pie hat). Does it bug me that so many fans take pictures with cell phones? I did notice, but I was too immersed for it to bother me.

PK Griffin: Is there any piece of gear I've sold or lost I wish I had back? I'd like the Maltese Cross back.

Anton Tibbe: What a powerful email. Never had one quite as eloquent as this. I've been doing this so long that I'm not sure of music's power. I'm too far in if you know what I mean. Thanks for explaining what happened to you. Somewhat of an education. Nice on, Anton!

Neil Ivison: Secret puts the DVD out in the UK on April 25th.

Bob Norton: Do a new studio album. I'm trying!

Mike Wullie Goonan: Do 'You're Never Alone' beginning to end.

Tom Fae: Looking forward to Edinburgh. Says there's a poster advertising something in a Grocers shop - and it looks like me stripped to the waist is it? Good God, no!

Patti Shaffer: 'What are the words to Bastard - especially the beginning? It's been bothering me for 20 years.' Vestal Virginia - ain't got a bad thought in you - you're an - unmentionable.

Starski: 'Apart from your own stuff, who do you enjoy?' Stones, Bob.

Ziggy Rokita: No Paris this year - the routing didn't work. Hope to do it next time.

Chris (Austin) Pete Watts goes on marathon walks across England and Luther has put together a band.

LE: 'Do you remember me?' No. I'm visiting the UK soon - it sounds as small as Katonah so I figure I'll see you there.'

John Knight is sorry we are missing Spain. I am too. I loved it there. We couldn't work it in routing wise, but we have every intention of coming back. Preferably sooner than later.

Ole says, 'Play, 'Standin' in My Light.' In Oslo.'

Rob: 'Concert at SXSW in Austin was outstanding. What's your connection with Alejandro?' We like and respect each other.

Mark Hughes came to the Galaxy with a couple of cool six year olds. One of which wants me to sleep over! Hi Alexandria - hi Amber. Glad you enjoyed it!

Frankie Delmane (opened for us in LA) says we were better in Vegas. Do we do 'All of The Good Ones Are Taken'? Now and again. Also, do 'Rip Off.' It's not in at the moment, but we've done it.

SBengt Larsson: Malmo - at last!

Wayne Warren: Loved Austin. Sorry we'd run out of CDs. You don't have to worry about ordering online at my website. It's fine - legit. Ask anybody!

Charlotte Fox: too young to go to gigs. Loves sound checks. It's fine by me if your Mom and Dad can work it out. Ask for Stan.

Kathy Machado: Had a blast in LA.

Jeffrey Stanke: 'Spring 'as Sprung'. It truly has, Jeff. The weather at H.T. is fantastic. Traditional spring. Would it be like this forever.

Mark Okiho: How do I prepare my voice? Well, it's a muscle and like any muscle you've got to loosen it up and get it hard. Usually takes about a week.

Allan Sutton: When an artist speaks of 'total worldwide record sales' - does that include covers - compilations etc. Yup.

Cliff Ports: 'When you lived in Katonah, did you live near Martha Stewart?' Hell, yes- we used to party every Wednesday night.

Gary Gick wants us to play in Hawaii. I'd love to! We've been to Maui on holiday. Beautiful.

Jeff: Did I ever do CBGBs? I might have sat in; can't remember. Would I? All depends.

Charles Hardy: When things are going too fast, and you wish they'd slow down.

Carolyn: Loved CA, NV and TX shows. Says to get seats in these places - her feet are killing her!

Ed: Yes, MTH did 'Ohio' with Ralpher singing. Neil Young was not involved.

Jean Gauthier: Thanks for the Henry Boy CD. I'd also like to thank the person who left me Terry Jones' (signed to me) 'Who Murdered Chaucer' book. Wonderfully written, by he of Python fame.

Mikey 47 went to Philly. Great show. 'Keep Bosch around for a while. He fit perfectly.' Do 'One of the Boys'.

Bryan Paterson: 'Who would I collaborate with on a duets album?' I dunno. Who would collaborate with me?

Larry D. loved Philly. Was I OK with all the 'clunk heads' who only wanted MTH stuff? Actually, Philly seem a slightly older audience than we've been getting lately. They get what I give 'em!

Ken Hess: Have I ever thought of writing fiction? You know, except in rare exceptions it doesn't pay well and it takes a lot of lyrics.

Steve 'Mottman' Weideman: 'Mark Bosh is a great addition to the Rantsters'

Emile: 'Does any video exist of the Broadway tour?' Not to my knowledge.

David Coyle: Am I playing the Ohio State Fair with the real Zombies? Yup.

Bruce Maffia flew from Sacramento to LA. Happy Anniversary!

John Clark wants it to be known that Ian Hunter Tartan Army (IHTA) will be meeting at the Solid Rock before the Glasgow gig. Happy Birthday Xan (21st).

Steve Baratta sends a lyric. This is innocent and sweet, Steve. Could be a pop hit for somebody. Good one.

George Saadi says he owes much of his motivation and career to Steve Popovich, who now gets his day in court vs. Sony. Steve's great. A great record company man in the traditional sense of record company men. He loves music (an unforgivable sin in the record business). Instead of Sony trying to belittle him they should be on their knees to him. I think Steve should be president of Sony!

Christer Askerfjord: 'How could you not include, 'Roll Away the Stone' on Strings DVD?' Didn't like the ending.

Chris Freeman: 'Someone asked where Mick's guitar is. Rick Tedesco tracked it down to a Hard Rock Café in Australia and acquired it for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.' I knew that!

Todd Denison love LA!

Peejay: 1) I don't think so. 2) Who?

Dennis Romano: 'From Poconos to Philly in a snowstorm. GGGGreat show.' I know, filthy weather.

Jeffrey Stanke: So, Justin came and put up a new mailbox and it lasted exactly 24 hours! Trudi caught the trash cart backing into it! She went berserk at the poor bloke. [Webmaster's note: I do not install Ian's mailboxes!]

Stay Tuned! The Horse's Mouth #52 Part 2 will follow shortly ...